WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues in WA waste and recycling facilities.

The inspection program will look at a number of randomly selected facilities across metropolitan and regional areas of the State throughout the 2024/25 financial year.

Inspectors will look at waste treatment, remediation, and material recovery and disposal services throughout the course of the inspection program.

They will place a strong emphasis on machinery guarding, safe movement of vehicles manual tasks, training, procedures, consultation, and psychosocial issues such as fatigue.

Waste and recycling has been identified as an industry with significant challenges in relation to safety and a high number of injuries due to manual tasks and other risk areas.

The inspections will be conducted with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency across all workplaces.

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the proactive inspection program aimed to assist employers in the waste and recycling industry to fulfil their responsibilities for the health and safety of workers in their facilities.

“The primary goal of our proactive programs is to provide information and to collaboratively work towards a reduction in work-related injuries and illnesses in the industry sectors we target,” Ms North said.

“However, if our inspectors find non-compliance with work health and safety legislation, they will take appropriate action that could include the issuing of verbal directions or notices requiring the facility to remedy the situation.

“A wide range of safety issues may be present for workers in the waste and recycling industry, and it’s our aim to make employers fully aware of the risks and supply them with information on the measures that can be put into place to lessen those risks.”

WorkSafe has an extensive schedule of proactive inspection programs that closely examine safety issues in a wide range of industries and activities.

Media Contact: Caroline De Vaney, 0408 927563 (media enquiries only).

caroline.devaney@demirs.wa.gov.au